Five years experience with penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds.

This report reviews the clinical course and treatment of 83 cases of civilian penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds seen over a five-year period. The factors that determine mortality and morbidity are discussed. A conservative surgical approach in neurologically intact or less severely injured patients is re-emphasized. Increased intracranial pressure appears to be a significant factor in more severely injured patients, and should be monitored and treated vigorously.